Preventing Separation

Children are highly vulnerable to separation from their parents in conflict, displacement or disasters. Families may flee for their safety and lose loved ones in the chaos, parents may leave their children or send them away for their own safety or in the belief they will be better cared for by others. Children may lose their parents to disease, injury or death, while others may be abducted by armed forces, or trafficked.

Relevant authorities and organizations should provide coordinated action to reduce separation and endeavour to keep children as close to their parents, relatives and community as possible. When the possibility of separation can be anticipated, such as when an attack is possible or a movement of a population is anticipated or planned, community education should be undertaken. Families should be alerted to the risks of separation and encouraged to take precautions. Such precautions may include ensuring their child has undergone birth registration, teaching children their full names and addresses, encouraging children to wear name tags at all times, agreeing on a meeting place in case of separation, and making sure children are accompanied by a known adult whenever possible. This is particularly important when there are high risks of sexual violence, abduction and trafficking. In circumstances where the evacuation of a population is necessary, family groups should be moved together. Children should not be evacuated on their own.

Agencies should endeavour to avoid unnecessary separation by ensuring that households have adequate basic provisions. All services such as food aid, health services, and emergency care should be reviewed to ensure they do not encourage the separation or abandonment of children.

This section includes information on the causes of separation, how to assess a situation, and guidance on community messages and practices to reduce the incidence of children becoming separated.

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Inter-agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children

ICRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, Save the Children UK, and International Rescue Committee, 2004

A comprehensive framework to ensure that the rights and needs of separated children are effectively addressed. Guidelines aim to promote and support preparedness, coordination and good practice based on lessons learned. Addresses all aspects of an emergency from preventing separations, to family tracing and reunification, through to long-term solutions.

Community Based Care for Separated Children

David Tolfree, 2003

A paper discussing the shortcomings of systems in which separated children are placed into residential/ institutional forms of care. It also considers community-based and some other forms of care as alternative approaches to preventing unnecessary separation of children from their families.

The Care and Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Disasters

David K Tolfree, 2003

Overview of a research study which provides guidelines for care of separated children in large-scale emergencies, focusing on the negative impact of residential care, extended family care, spontaneous and agency fostering, adoption, and alternative placements for adolescents.

Working with Children in Unstable Situations: Principles and Concepts to Guide Psychosocial Responses

UNICEF, 2003

Discusses the psychosocial impacts of unstable situations on children and their families, with an emphasis on child development. Includes UNICEF’s position on policy and programming principles as well as strategies to address the psychosocial needs of children, families, and communities.

Protecting Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Displacement: An Introductory Training Module

Action for the Rights of Children, 2003

Training module outlining key principles concerning the protection of children affected by armed conflict and displacement. Topics include legal frameworks, identifying protection issues, threats to children in emergencies, and promoting healthy child development.

Mobility Mapping and Flow Diagrams: Tools for Family Tracing and Social Reintegration Work with Separated Children

Brigette De Lay, IRC, 31 Dec 2002

Detailed guidance on using drawing with children to facilitate documentation and tracing efforts, as well as a tool for reintegrating separated children into families.

Youth: Care and Protection of Children in Emergencies: A Field Guide

Marc Sommers, 2001

An overview of the key challenges surrounding youth in crisis and the framework for dealing with these issues based on Save the Children principles in youth programming. Includes detailed examination of international programming examples.

The Rwandan Experience of Fostering Separated Children

Giorgia Dona, 2001

A report about a case-study in Rwanda documenting the practice of, and policies regarding, fostering (formal and informal). The study also explored the views of children in foster care, caretakers, agencies and local authorities regarding fostering.

Child Soldiers: Care & Protection of Children in Emergencies: A Field Guide

Mark Lorey, 2001

Outlines the planning and implementation of programs focused on recruitment prevention, demobilization, or reintegration of child soldiers. Includes notes on situation analysis, monitoring, and evaluation.

Foundations: Child and Adolescent Development: Resource Pack

Action for the Rights of Children, 2001

Resource pack for a course in child and adolescent development. Emphasis on identifying threats to childhood development and strategies to promote development in adverse conditions. Includes facilitators notes, participatory exercises, overheads, and handouts.